Crane incident
- Safety Flash
- Published on 21 June 2006
- Generated on 16 May 2026
- IMCA SF 07/06
- 1 minute read
A Member has reported a crane incident on one of its vessels.
What happened?
A crane hook snagged a piece of piping, which was lifted as the hook was raised. The piping subsequently fell, missing two people who were on the deck below. No-one was injured.
Investigation of the event revealed the following:
- The crane had been stowed with the hook resting within the open top of a waste skip.
- The waste skip had not been covered by a net or tarpaulin.
- The crane boom and hook had been raised before the banksman had checked that all was okay and given the crane driver clearance to lift.
The following lessons learnt were noted by the company:
- Crane operations must be properly controlled and managed according to company procedures.
- Crane hook stowage positions should be properly assessed by the worksite management team.
- Crane hook stowage positions should be properly implemented by all crane drivers. It was noted that, on occasion, crane hooks had also been tied off to a handrail and that this practice should cease.
- Waste items in a skip should be more appropriately positioned and, if necessary, the skip covered with a net or tarpaulin.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.